maxillary

American  

[mak-suh-ler-ee, mak-sil-uh-ree] / ˈmæk səˌlɛr i, mækˈsɪl ə ri /

adjective

1. of or relating to a jaw, jawbone, or maxilla.

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noun

plural

maxillaries

1. a maxilla or maxillary bone.

Other Word Forms

• intermaxillary adjective
• postmaxillary adjective

Etymology

Origin of maxillary

First recorded in 1620–30; maxill(a) + -ary

Example Sentences

The irritating insects have organs called maxillary palps that allow them to detect carbon dioxide from their prey.

From Slate • Aug. 19, 2022

In animals with teeth, the mandible brings the surfaces of the teeth in contact with the maxillary teeth.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

This is especially true of the maxillary sinuses, under each eye.

From New York Times • May 3, 2022

These branches include the lingual, facial, occipital, maxillary, and superficial temporal arteries.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Measurements.—An adult female from San Fernando measured as follows: 710; 360; 70; 30; basilar length, 56.2; condylobasal length, 64.2; zygomatic breadth, 41.3; interorbital constriction, 19.0; length of maxillary tooth-row, 20.7.

From The Recent Mammals of Tamaulipas, Mexico by Alvarez, Ticul